EMPIRE TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1932, Page 5

EMPIRE TRADE

MEAT QUESTION

CONSIDERATION AT OTTAWA.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

-V, OTTAWA July 25. The Conference developing. t due to South Africa declaring herself as a potential exporter of ch lied beef involves further consideration of the .whdti meat position which daily takes on more importance as it is or.e cd the matters on which Australia is particularly anxious sdie shall rece.ve assistance.

It is recognised that Britain, as an importer .of 'eight per cent, of the world’s beef export, may well say to Australia: “Our people prefer child, d beef! Yep cannot supply. Do- you insist on forcing frozen meat upon us?”

■South Africa lias already sent satisfactory trial chilled beef shipments. Australia is still, experimenting, but ; Mr Bruce indicates that Australia could entbr the chilled beef trade oh a big scale before South Africa was ready Mea t experts j although they declare that an effective chilling process is available, do not expres enthusiasm about the prospects of Auetialia at an iearly date ranging herself as a direct competitor with the Argentine. One of the difficulties is the Argentine’s 'distribution in Britain. This is facilitated by a chain of retail shops throughout Britain. Her beef is reaching the. consumer with the minimum of delay after being 1 discharged from the ship.

Australia, could eventually make identical detailing' arrangements.

The experts are aware that Doctor Moran and colleagues, v when experimlmting at the low temperature research statioh a.t Cambridge recently, doubled the “life.” of pieces of beef at the ordinary chill temperatures of 32 to 33 degrees, by adding to acr 20 per cent, of carbon d’’6xide gas. This process As already known in Australia a» “gas control” or- “air control.”! The process is .claimed to assure that beef loaded at Queensland ports will be landbd in . Britain even after ten weeks still in perfect condition, and superior to frozen beef, with its texture undamaged, and its flavoin, food value and appearance equal to fresh beef, in contrast to beef which suffers a breakdown in the cells under the low temperature freezing process universally practised in' Australia. This chilling, whioh ' involves'- a partial vacuum, requires ; that the cool chamber doors shall not be opened during the voyage. It delays the growth, bf moulds mid putr§fact>e bacteria, the gas acting as a miid and entirely harmless antiseptic. ■lt is believed that the addition of only ten per cent of parbon dioxide in sufficient to carry the cargoes from Australia to London, Another consideration'is that chilled car ernes i must hang, allowing a’r to reach all’ sides unlike frozen meat, which can be closely stacked. This involves the reconditioning of the steamers, and greater space is needed, which means heavier freight charges.

It is considered obvious that Australia cannot’ immediately embaik on the regular export of oh’Tkd befitf; nor are experts confident that her trade will reach any volume in a few years. Therefore the case at Ottawa will] be fought on the question of p eferencie for frozen beef over chiT.d beef.

Moreover, tlie difficulty is increased by the fact that in Queensland meat is a seasonal industry. She can fatten for only six months of the year, whereas the Argentine can send any quantity at any time in accordance with the London market requirements. Australia’s shipments are rigidly seai sanal.